Walk the North Dike to Wachusett Dam
Central Massachusetts / Clinton, Massachusetts
Activity
Hiking / Historic Outdoor Experience
Difficulty
Easy–moderate / dike, forest road and footpath
Distance
3 mi round trip
Elevation gain
~150 ft
Duration
~1.5–2 hrs
Route
Out & back
The adventure
Follow the open North Dike and old railroad corridor to the massive Wachusett Dam and spillway.
Step through Gate 39 and head onto the North Dike with the reservoir spread beside you. Continue through the railroad rock cut to the spillway and Wachusett Dam, explore the permitted public area around the dam, then retrace the route to South Meadow Road.
Protected drinking-water watershed and open reservoir dike
What you'll do
Start at Wachusett Reservoir Gate 39 at Route 110 and South Meadow Road, then follow the route about 3 miles round trip.
Expect open dike, forest roads and footpaths with modest hills.
Expect roughly 150 ft of climbing along the way.
What you're looking at
- Wachusett is a 65-billion-gallon reservoir in the regional drinking-water system.
The story of the place
The route combines reservoir engineering with a former railroad rock cut.
Once you're there
Start at Gate 39 where Route 110 meets South Meadow Road. Do not block the gate; use legal parking in the immediate Gate 39 area when available or the designated Clinton school parking identified for organized dam walks.
Follow the North Dike toward the dam, staying on open public-access roads and paths. Continue through the railroad rock cut to the spillway/dam area, respect any gate or walkway closures, and return the same way.
Don't miss
Don't rush the approach to the dam. The old railroad rock cut is the odd little piece of industrial landscape that makes the walk feel like more than a reservoir stroll.
Good to know
- Access
- No permit or reservation is required for ordinary public walking during open access hours; special dam-top opening hours are separate and not required for completion.
- Best time to go
- Public watershed access is generally year-round, but snow, ice, wind and temporary operational closures can affect the route.
- Hours
- Watershed general access is one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset.
- Parking
- Access parking varies; do not block gates. Organized walks also identify Clinton High/Middle School parking.
- Dam walkway
- Dam-top public openings occur on selected dates/hours and are not required for this route.
- Hazards
- Strong wind, winter ice, exposed weather
- Restrictions
- No swimming, no boating, no dogs
- Dogs
- Dogs are prohibited on Wachusett Reservoir water-supply protection lands.
- 65 BILLION GALLONS
- Wachusett Reservoir holds about 65 billion gallons and is part of the drinking-water system serving roughly 2.7 million people.
- ROCK-CUT HISTORY
- The route passes through a railroad rock cut before reaching the spillway and dam area.
- EXPECT WIND
- The open North Dike can be noticeably windy even when nearby streets feel calm.
- WATERSHED RULES
- This is protected drinking-water land: no dogs, swimming or boating, and access is only through designated gates.
- Surface
- Grassy dike, forest road, footpath and rock-cut corridor
- Managed by
- Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation — Division of Water Supply Protection.
Please respect the place
- No dogs on watershed protection lands
- No boating or swimming
- Enter only through designated gates
- Do not block watershed gates
- Follow all posted water-supply protection rules
Photos
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